Friday, December 30, 2016

TODAY'S DAILY PROVERB finds us in one of the last chapters of Proverbs. I hope you have followed along with me this month as we looked at a proverb each day and found some wisdom daily to apply to our life!

Today's Daily Proverb is found in Verse 33 of chapter 30, but it is abit odd...

However, reading the scripture before this will make it make more sense...

"If you’re dumb enough to call attention to yourself by offending people and making rude gestures, Don’t be surprised if someone bloodies your nose."

I love how plain and simple the Proverb writings are! Basically, it is telling us that whatever we keep spinning, something will come from it. The things that we churn will produce something!

If we keep churning milk, butter will be the by product. If we churn conflict with others, a bruised face ur bloody nose may be the by product. (Ouch)

If this is true for spinning anguish with others, imagine what the by product could be of the opposite; if we churned goodness, Grace, joy or love towards one another. I would love to be on the receiving end of what THAT produced ~ how about you?

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

"The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit."

Have you ever gone for a walk and come up on some busted up concrete or a big dip in the walk? If you are watchful, you will see it ahead of time and walk around it or perhaps there will be a barricade around the destruction to keep you safe.

Taking a walk with the Lord is like this visual. As you continue walking, there may be some pitfalls that stand in your way. However, when you keep your eyes on God, He will ensure your path to be straight and He will keep you safe. If you take your eyes off God, you will not see what's coming, and surely you will trip and fall on the busted up mess under your feet.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

This scripture is often quoted at mens retreats but this nugget of wisdom is for all of us to consider.

Whenever you rub iron against fire, sparks are going to fly. I have to ask, what happens when you rub shoulders with people? Are the sparks the kind that make others stronger or are they sparks that cause a fire of destruction?

Surround yourself with those who will build you up, those who want the best for you and certainly those that will sharpen you to become stronger Christians.

According to "Facts about Iron", making steel is the number one use of iron. A plate of steel is almost impossible to break through.

It is my prayer today that we all become as strong in the Lord as a sheet of steel, so strong that no amount of discouragement, sin or attack will be able to get thru.

The Monday after Christmas is not like any other Monday. Perhaps today is one of the worst Mondays that you have had in awhile, perhaps it is the best. I suppose it all depends on how your Christmas went yesterday and whether or not you are left with a mess today.

So many times, we build up and build up to the magical moment of Christmas morning and then just like the twinkle in Santa’s eye; dash away, dash away, it is gone. The presents have been opened. The friends and family have gone home. The cookies have been eaten. The wrapping paper has been drug outside. Nothing is left of Christmas.

Or is there?
This year I have had a different perspective about Christmas, one I have not had in quite some time. My focus hasn’t been about the gifts, or the singing or the baking. To be honest, my focus has just been about Jesus. Why He came, why He died and what am I doing about it? You see, Jesus IS the reason for the season but He is also the reason for today!

Christmas doesn’t have to be over. Oh sure, you might need to pack those ornaments and tree away until next time, but the spirit of Christmas can live on. I think about Mary and Joseph and I wonder what kind of Monday after the first Christmas that they had? Did they rush around with cleaning up? Was there post Christmas blues? Did Mary fuss about the mess left by the animals in the stable? I really don’t think their Monday after Christmas was like any other Monday, matter of fact, I don’t think any of their Mondays were the same after Jesus was born.

The baby is no longer in the stable. However, the stable leads us to the cross and the cross leads us to the reason for the season … love, joy, forgiveness and salvation. Once we accept this free gift from God ALL of our Mondays will never be the same and He will become the reason for our EVERYTHING!

Thursday, December 22, 2016

TODAY'S DAILY PROVERB is found in chapter 22. I hope you have been following along with me this month by reading a chapter a day in the book of Proverbs.

"Train up a child in the way they should go and even when they are old they will not depart from it." (verse 6)

This particular verse is one that is quoted often by people, but have you ever really looked at the promise that it gives?

Children are certainly a joy, a gift the Bible says but as many of you who are parents know, children can also bring heartache and worry.

During my own times of worry and heartache over my own children, I cling to the hope, the promise that God gives me.

This verse not only brings hope but first a requirement for you and me. "Train up a child in the way they should go" is the requirement God gives us, but it doesn't stop there. The hope (the promise) is, IF we do our part, God will do the rest.

If you are a hurting parent over a lost child, remember the promise given here: "they will not depart from it".

Lost children are like lost sheep; they find their way home because of the leading of the Shepherd.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

"Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered."

This particular verse stuck out to me today, I suppose because it is the season for giving and that is where my heart is right now.

It is easy to think of caring for those in need at Christmas, but what about the other 364 days of the year? Do we see the needs of the hungry, the poor and the shut ins as clearly then or do we walk on by?

Today's Proverb reminds me of how each one of us is just one day, one choice, one lost job, one crisis away from being the very one in need. Today you may have plenty but tomorrow it may be gone. Tomorrow it may be you who is hungry, or cold or in need.

The saying Is "what goes around, comes around." I pray hard times won't come around to you or me but in case it does keep in mind that the measure we give may be returned to us.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

"Do not say, 'I’ll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you." (Verse 22)

This is a hard one because we all know it feels better to have the last word. However, I have learned along this journey of life that "my last word" probably would not be the same last words God would choose.

Two things that I know for sure:

1. Hurting people hurt people!

2. Nothing escapes Gods view and He WILL have the last Word!

As I get older, I am learning to be still more and let God deal with my enemies. After all, He's a much better score keeper than me.

Hope you have been reading along in Proverbs with me this month and today if someone has fighting words with you (or about you)...be still and know that God has your back!

Friday, December 16, 2016

I was reminded this week that not everyone has joy this Christmas. For some, they just wish it would come and go already. The laughter, the singing, the bells chiming, the whole spirit of love and giving has been stolen and replaced with heartache, gloom and despair.

It came to me first by way of a text message from my beloved daughter. It read, “He’s dead.” My heart stopped for a minute and then I quickly picked the phone up to call her. Thru her broken heart and tears, I heard the words as she told me about her friend who had been missing for a couple of days but had been found dead. Just 25 years old, such a tragedy. The joy of Christmas stolen.

Another reminder came to me during a visit from a lady who stopped by the church this week. They have been out of work and have no food or running water; “is there any way we could help them give their child a Christmas gift?” she asks. The joy of Christmas has been stolen from them.

Soon after this visit, a phone call was received. Cancer has spread and the doctors give no hope. Hospice has been called in. The joy of Christmas has been stolen yet once again.

My heart is more keenly aware this Christmas than any other that for many people the “merry” has been taken out of their Christmas and the “joy” to their world has been snuffed out by sickness, death and tragedy. Many will sit around a Christmas tree this year all alone, while others will not even have a Christmas tree or a present or a meal. I wish I could give to every single one of these that are hurting. I wish I could put my arms around each lonely person and tell them that someone loves them. I wish that I could give a toy to each wanting child. I truly wish I could restore the joy that has been stolen from so many people this Christmas.

While I am just one person, I may touch one or two with my giving but there is only One Who can touch the entire world. Jesus. And isn’t that exactly what happened on that night all those years ago in that stable? Joy was brought to the world. Not for one, not for two – Joy through our Savior was brought for ALL to have and to hold.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10,11)

The same words spoken then are the same words that can bring joy to your world. Even in those moments when your world is shaken up, torn apart and feels like it has been stolen from you, yes even in those moments, joy can be found. None of us enjoy difficulties, or sickness or facing death, but joy my friend, true joy, is not about our enjoyment. Anyone can give you a Christmas treat but that doesn’t mean that you will enjoy it. True joy is not found in Christmas gifts rather it is found in the arms of Jesus.

It is my prayer that this Christmas CAN be different for those hurting, may we all be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and share the joy of Christ and give back to those who have had their joy stolen. After all, that is where we will find CHRISTmas.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

This month I am studying the book of Proverbs. I invite you to read along with me, reading one chapter a day. Instead of sharing devotions this month, I will share a daily scripture picture from our daily reading. Today I'm in chapter 6 for the 6th day of the month.

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." (Proverbs 6:16-19)

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About Me

Sharing God's love and truth thru devotional writing here and across the web. My heart is to bring hope,love and forgiveness to those that feel broken and lost. I was once broken and lost but I am so glad that God didn't let me stay that way. Come along with me on this adventure of faith and may you also find the hope and love that you are longing for! :)